Tulsa Drillers’ Joe Gardner, Modesto Nuts’ Tyler Matzek hit hard

Start with Double-A Tulsa where Drillers’ right-hander Joe Gardner (3-6, 5.36), who allowed nine runs on seven hits in two-plus innings as Tulsa fell 16-2 to Corpus Christi. The 16 runs were the most given up by Drillers pitchers this season, as were the 18 hits they allowed. Corpus Christi hit five home runs, including a three-run blast off Gardner in the first.

Josh Rutledge, certainly a candidate to get called up by the Rockies in the second half, went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

High Desert 12, Modesto 10
Tyler Matzek’s struggles continue. The 21-year-old lefty had his worst start of the season, belted for 10 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits in four-plus inning as High-A Modesto got clobbered at High Desert. Matzek, the first-round draft choice in 2009, had previously not allowed more than five earned runs and eight hits in any start this season. Matzek (5-6, 4.41).

Nuts left fielder Juan Crousset had a huge night at the plate, going 4-for-5 with six RBIs and four runs scored. He mashed a solo homer, a two-run shot and a double.